Lauren Cnare likely the next Madison Common Council president

From what I'm hearing, it doesn't sound like there are any viable candidates to challenge Ald. Lauren Cnare for Council president. The Eastside alder, who has run unsuccessfully for the position before, apparently has enough votes to ensure her election.

Ald. Shiva Bidar, who I ran into just a few hours ago at the radio station, says she is a candidate for President Pro Tem, along with Alds. Larry Palm and Marsha Rummel. Palm considered running for president last year but withdrew after recognizing that Rummel had a better shot of beating Ald. Mark Clear, who ended up beating Rummel by two votes.

Cnare and Bidar were Cieslewicz supporters, while Rummel and Palm either supported Soglin or did not endorse (it's ambiguous). I don't think who they supported for mayor is the most important aspect of their Council characters -- it's just a fact to keep in mind.

What is important is that Cieslewicz is no longer mayor. That probably means less influence for outgoing Council President Mark Clear and Ald. Tim Bruer, both of whom worked closely with Mayor Dave.

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